Brunei hotel chain faces protests over NYC plans

A Brunei hotel chain is facing opposition over its plans to build a high-end Dorchester Collection hotel in the city.

Civil rights advocacy group Human Rights Campaign released a statement this week calling on lawmakers to halt the New York expansion of the company, run by the Brunei Investment Agency, Capital New York reported. Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is among the travel firms protesting the plans. Criticism has been directed at the nation of Brunei, which recently enacted a penal code that will soon permit death by stoning for gay sex and adultery.

“The Sultan of Brunei could start executing LGBT citizens as soon as next year,” Chad Griffin of Human Rights Campaign said in a statement cited by Capital New York. “New Yorkers from all walks of life should have one simple and straight-forward message for the Sultan: take your business elsewhere.”

The chain also owns the Beverly Hills Hotel, where protests over the law drew celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Jay Leno, and have led to more than 20 events being moved to other venues.

Dorchester Collection CEO Christopher Cowdray said the main focus is to break into New York. No specific plans have been announced to date. The Brunei Investment Agency sold the Palace Hotel at 455 Madison Avenue in Midtown to investment advisory firm Northwood Investors for $400 million in 2011, as previously reported. [Capital New York] — Mark Maurer

I completely agree that this hotel should not be in our city, or country. If you kill, murder or put to death people whoa are gay, then you cannot do business in our city. Thank you Chad Griffin for putting up the good fight for ALL.

richard

I don’t care too much about the gay thing but what about the adultery issue? Both are evil actions against your fellow human but adultery? By the way, have you seen the sultan? He looks as though he is in the closet.

richard

the picture

Char4Dew

WOW!!! Are we about Human Rights or are we about endorsing inhumane new laws? first they buy here, than they will rule here, do not be fooled, and Clooney is bringing his arm candy for political reasons, it is no love story….STOP THEM NOW!!!

A British man is in jail for quoting Churchill, a Muslim man got offended by the
quote and the Brit ended up in jail…..FIRST they populate, and then look out.

DO YOU want to turn a blind eye to those who permit death by stoning for gay sex and adultery.

I DO NOT!!!!

JJ

Yes let’s boycott all countries that have the barbaric and cruel ritual of capital punishment where people are electrocuted or injected with poison. Won’t be going to the good old USA then. Bunch of hypocrites…